Women Using Hair Straightening Products More Likely to Develop Uterine Cancer

In a new study by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that women who use hair straightening products are more likely to develop uterine cancer. According to the study, other products such as hair dyes, bleach, highlights, and perms have no association with uterine cancer (National Institutes of Health, 2022). Known as the Sister Study, 33,497 women ages 35-74 participated in the experiment that sought to identify risk factors for breast cancer and other health problems (2022). For nearly 11 years, these women were researched. During that time, 378 uterine cancer cases were identified. Researchers found that women who frequently used hair straightening products were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not use these products (2022).

According to the study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, “Approximately 60% of the participants who reported using straighteners in the previous year were self-identified Black women” (National Institutes of Health, 2022, p. 1). Black women were overrepresented in the percentage of women who contracted uterine cancer from using hair straightening products.

For Black women in America, hair straightening products serve as an existential threat to their existence. The public needs to be aware of the medical dangers these products cause. Media outlets, such as social media, should be used to expose how uterine cancer among Black women can be prevented by not using hair straightening products. Black women could also financially divest from companies that sell and promote harmful hair straightening products. These are strategic steps that require self-disciple, willpower, and organizational planning. As a black community, we have the plan, now we just need to implement it to serve our best interests.

Before learning about this study, I knew very little about the deadly effects of hair straightening products. It was my wife, Alexis S. Anekwe, who brought this issue to my attention. As she informed me by word of mouth about the deadly side effects of these products, other people should do the same. We should share what we know about this problem with Black women, so they do not put their lives at risk. This is the least we can do.

Ethically speaking,

Obiora N. Anekwe

Reference:

1. National Institutes of Health (2022). Hair straightening chemicals are associated with higher uterine cancer risk. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hair-straightening-chemicals-associated-higrisk